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The Christian and
Money - 4
Principles:
Contentment
What is Contentment?
• “to be sufficient or adequate
for a particular purpose, with
the implication of leading to
satisfaction.” (Louw & Nida)
• “sufficient, enough” (Vine’s)
What is Contentment?
• Our society feeds on
discontentment
– Advertising
– Our prosperity
– Marriages
Bible & Contentment
• Psa. 37:16-17
• Prov. 15:16
• Eccl. 5:10-12
• Luke 3:14 – John to
soldiers
Bible & Contentment
• Heb. 13:5
• Phil 4:11-13 – Paul had
learned contentment
Bible & Contentment
• 1 Tim. 6:6-8
• Godliness with contentment great
gain God Expects us to
• We brought
nothing into this world
learn contentment!
• Content with necessities
•
Dangers of
discontentment
Bible & Contentment
• 1 Tim. 6:6-8
• Godliness with contentment great
gain
• We brought nothing into this world
• Content with necessities
•
Dangers of
discontentment
Developing
Contentment
It is really about attitude!
• Contentment a state of
mind
• Make up your mind
• Prov. 14:30
Developing
Contentment
Realize the flaw of the
things of this world
• They disappoint – Eccl.
2:10
• Temporary Eccl. 2:18
Developing
Contentment
Beware of pitfalls of
discontentment
• 1 Tim. 6:9-10
• Debt, stress, desperation,
worry, addictions, etc.
• Prov. 23:17
Developing
Contentment
Where is your treasure?
• Matt. 6:19-21
Developing
Contentment
Learn gratitude
• We are truly blessed –
Jas. 1:17
• Are we grateful? Phil. 4:67, 1 Thess. 5:18
Eccl. 5:18-20
Developing
Contentment
Live within your means
• We live in a debt burdened
society
• Don’t worry about the “Jones’”
• Prov. 30:8-9
Developing
Contentment
Learn to give
•
•
•
•
A key principle
1 Tim. 6:17-19
Acts 20:35
James 1:27 – “visit”
Developing
Contentment
Deliberately do without
something
• Sacrifice, “fasting”, etc.
• Cf. Rom. 12:1-2
• 1 Cor. 9:25,
1 Chron. 21:24
• 2 Cor. 12:10 –
“sufferings”
Developing
Contentment
A formula for contentment:
• Knowing + Doing + Trust =
Contentment
(Crown Financial Ministries)
Developing
Contentment
• Knowing + Doing + Trust
• Knowing God’s plan for your
life
• Doing that plan (Matt. 7:21)
• Trusting Him - Matt. 6:33,
Phil. 4:13,
Prov. 3:5
Are you content?